Like an unofficial remake of Logan's Run. (spoilers)

Rating: 5/10 (31 March 2006)

This movie was a huge financial undertaking that was really panned by critics and viewers when it was released in 2005. Part of the criticisms, I remember, being about Scarlett Johannsen going Hollywood (and looking so strange here, she so closely resembles Danielle Fischelle or a blonde Yasmine Bleeth), the blatant (and numerous) product placements, and, at least my criticism--making a movie that pieces together, in almost identical visual, thematic, or narrative form, great science fiction films of the past.
The Island is a story most fondly reminiscent of the great 1970s science fiction tale, Logan's Run (also on the Hollywood radar for a remake, although this takes care of it). It is the story of a hybrid colony of clones (the setting is more like an upscale gym) who are not aware of their existence. As is the key to most science fiction oddity, they are being bred for a corporate experiment designed to, at least initially, allow wealthy people live much longer. When their health fails in any way, the ailing part can be replaced with, of course, their clone.
Like the replicants in Blade Runner (another science fiction great from which the Island is largely derivative of), the clones are unaware of their existence as anything other than normally functioning humans. They have memories of a past prior to life in the colony which they forced onto after the "contamination" occurred. At first, it sounds like radiation contamination from post-nuclear warfare, but it isn't. Like the false promise of life renewal in Logan's Run, those in the colony participate in a lottery to travel to the "Island." One of the clones, unsure about certain conditions of which he is living, begins to investigate things around the colony and soon enough, it takes both he and another clone outside of the colony where he sees a world he had never even known existed. Meanwhile, with the escape the corporation is scrambling to retrieve the clones, hiring of course, the slickest hit-man who's skills may well help keep a lid on all the of laws being broken in the colony.
Despite being derivative (especially visually) of so many notable action films like Mad Max 3, Terminator 2, A.I., the Matrix 2, the Fifth Element, Gattaca, and even the Truman Show, this film does offer some interesting elements of its own. Although, the narrative is almost taken for routine, with very little elements changing beyond the films already mentioned. It is nearly as predictable from beginning to end. But, it does offer, at least, a somewhat entertaining almost-two hour glimpse into this sci-fi adventure, doing so with many great action sequences and, thanks to some good writing here and there, a bit of sly humor from time to time (especially from co-star Steve Buscemi). I'm sure the draw of the film, more than anything else, will be the cast, who have gotten dolled up just a little more than usual for the occasion.